Europe/Africa Zone Group II: Thursday

CAIRO, EGYPT: All of the nations to compete in Saturday’s promotion play-offs in Europe/Africa Zone Group II have been decided as South Africa, Montenegro, Georgia and Turkey all won on Thursday.

Each nation had already scored one victory on Wednesday and backed up their opening day performances with another today. South Africa were imperious in their 3-0 victory against Finland with Ilze Hattingh opening proceedings with a 62 61 win against Johanna Hyoty. Nathalie Grandin then booked her side a place in the promotion play-offs when she defeated Piia Suomalainen 64 63 in 1 hour 20 minutes.

Grandin then paired with Madrie le Roux in the final rubber to complete a very impressive win 60 61 against Hyoty and Ella Leivo.

South Africa will now play Montenegro on Friday to decide the final positions in the group after Danka Kovinic led a comeback victory for the young nation against Denmark. Kovinic beat Karen Barbat 61 63 in the second singles rubbers after Mai Grage had given the Scandinavians the lead. The 17-year-old Montenegrin has amassed an impressive Fed Cup record and extended that to 9-1 when she partnered her captain, Danica Krstajic, in the doubles to put the final touches on the comeback.

In Pool B Turkey saw off the challenge of Norway without too many dramas as Pemra Ozgen took the opening rubber against Hedda Odegaard, 60 76(2) and then Cagla Buyukakcay polished off the tie with victory against Emma Flood, 60 61. The Norwegians were unable to restore any pride in the doubles as they were downed by Melis Sezer and Ipek Soylu 36 62 64.

Georgia will face Turkey on Friday with bragging rights up for grabs as well as first place in the group after Georgia beat Latvia to book their place in Saturday’s most important matches. Sofia Shapatava and Anna Tatishvili led the side with wins in the singles before the Latvian pairing of Laura Gulbe and Diana Marcinkevica earned their side a first point of the week in the dead rubber.

The winner of each pool will face the runner-up of the other pool on Saturday meaning that victory tomorrow for any of the nations could be all-important in avoiding the strongest opponents in the promotion matches.

Click the link below for more information about Europe/Africa Zone Group II, including individual results from each tie.